A newly released photo of a young royal marking a major birthday has captured public attention for a striking resemblance that’s impossible to ignore.
On May 2, a portrait of Princess Charlotte was posted on the Prince and Princess of Wales’ official Instagram account to celebrate her 10th birthday. Taken by her mother, Princess Catherine, the photo—and the warm birthday message—quickly drew widespread attention, with many fans noting how much Charlotte looks like her father, Prince William.
One social media user even described the image as “William with long hair 🤩,” while another wrote, “She looks so much like William. They literally have the same smile and grin 😁.” Other fans chimed in, calling her “Her father’s twin” and “a clone of her father.” On Reddit, similar remarks were shared: “Wow, that’s William’s face,” and “She looks JUST like her father.”
With her public appearances growing, royal watchers expect Charlotte will continue to be compared to both William and Catherine.
While Charlotte’s birthday was a happy event, her older brother, Prince George, is at the center of more serious discussions. Though still years away from the throne, the decision about which secondary school he’ll attend has reportedly sparked debate between his parents.
According to royal insider Helena Chard, the Prince and Princess of Wales have been deliberating over this choice for years. “I’m shocked the bookies haven’t started taking bets on where Prince George will go to school next fall!” she said.
Though this seems like a typical parental challenge, it carries significant weight for the future king. With the family having already toured several top-tier schools, public curiosity has grown.
George recently visited Eton College—a prestigious school attended by both his father and uncle, Prince Harry. His appearance there has created a buzz among students and parents alike. Eton’s location near Adelaide Cottage, the family’s Windsor home, makes it an appealing and convenient choice for Prince William.
Princess Catherine, however, has reportedly expressed interest in other institutions, including Highgate School and Marlborough College. Marlborough, her alma mater, holds sentimental value and is known for a more relaxed, co-educational environment. Its nurturing atmosphere aligns with Catherine’s desire to avoid the hardships she and other royals, like Prince Harry and King Charles III, experienced during their school years.
Royal expert Ian Pelham Turner noted that William leans toward Eton for its tradition and prestige, while Catherine prefers a gentler, more socially balanced setting. Turner shared, “Kate’s own difficult school experiences likely influence her preference for a less conventional choice.”
Another royal commentator, Hilary Fordwich, added that Catherine also values keeping George close to home and among his siblings, diverging from royal traditions that favor boarding schools.
Currently, George and his younger siblings attend Lambrook School, and he has four terms left there. The question of his next academic step remains open, as the couple weighs options and prioritizes what’s best for their son—academically, emotionally, and in terms of royal expectations.
Expert Richard Fitzwilliams emphasized that Eton would be a traditional choice, having educated several royals and even Princess Diana’s family members. Yet, tradition may not win out. William himself broke from convention by choosing Eton over Gordonstoun, which had been favored by earlier generations.
Gordonstoun was notable as the first senior school to formally educate a British royal—King Charles III—outside of private tutoring.
Whether William and Catherine will ultimately reach an agreement or one viewpoint will prevail remains to be seen.
Meanwhile, Prince George recently garnered attention for his appearance at a major sporting event with his father, William. On April 9, the two attended the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa in Paris.
Though many praised the sweet moments between the father and son, others commented on George’s expressions, suggesting he appeared bored or disinterested.
Still, photographs and videos showed William and George sharing emotional highlights of the match—clad in matching scarves, cheering together, and even exchanging affectionate gestures. At one point, William wrapped his arms around his son in celebration, offering a tender hug and a proud smile.
A viral slow-motion video captured this intimate moment, as William leaned down to nuzzle his son’s cheek before pulling him in for a warm embrace.
In a post-match chat with football legends Rio Ferdinand and Ally McCoist, William lightheartedly shared that having George with him kept his own excitement in check. More seriously, he explained why the night was meaningful: “It’s been 43 years since something like this happened during my lifetime… I wanted George to experience a big European night out.”
He added, “Hopefully it won’t take another 43 years, but these memories are important to create. Bringing him tonight meant a lot to me.”
Despite this heartfelt father-son outing, social media was split. While some praised the bond, others speculated George might not have enjoyed the experience as much, with comments like, “He looks so bored” and “He doesn’t want to be there.”
Regardless of how his expressions were interpreted, the moment gave the public a rare window into the royal family’s more candid and personal side.
